Activating Windows 10 Pro on Surface Tablet 3 (cheap licenses)

I got bit of a bargain on Amazon warehouse for a Surface 3 tablet recently. However, the windows 10 on it isn't activated so I need to get myself a license. Microsoft told me there's nothing they can do and they were confused as to how it wasn't activated - infact, they weren't very helpful and told me to return it to Amazon. Amazon have offered a 20% partial refund for the inconvenience.

However, when I went to MS store was shocked to see W10 Pro costs £189.99. Does anyone know if I can buy something like this which is much cheaper:ebay.co.uk/itm…431?hash=item1a202296c7:g:-zQAAOSwImRYKt2kor this one:ebay.co.uk/itm…645?hash=item3d286cea9d:g:-CsAAOSwh2xX-67D

And does anyone know if I have to reinstall the Windows or do I simply put the code in and I'm good to go?

If you reinstall Windows 10 from a USB stick and connect to Wifi during the final phases of the setup it will automatically activate. Sometimes there is a problem where if you don't connect to Wifi at the first opportunity offered Windows does not later activate. Alternatively if the system has a recovery image that should also work.

24th Nov 2016

I usually use opiumpulses.com but I just checked and it is $19.99 on there at the moment, there was another cheap site I saw advertised on here but I can't seem to find it now.

24th Nov 2016

Good to go provided the version you have installed corresponds with the key you are buying.If you buy one of those keys there's a low but not unreasonable chance you will end up with problems in 3-4 months with your software getting deactivated when the seller re-sells the keys to someone else.

Thanks guys. I'll see if I can go down the recovery route first and see what happens.

If that doesn't work, I'll buy one of those keys on eBay and take the risk if may deactivate after a few months.

So basically I just have to be sure it's windows 10 pro 64bit which is what I'm seeing is installed on the tablet and that will be fine when I enter the code?

24th Nov 2016

Suggest unique issue related to current win installation. Suggest restore or combination of wiping primary win partition and clean install windows will result in auto-activation the first time the machine connects to internet. If you are concerned about losing whatever installation you have "as received / current," clone the existing installation to a backup device first, Macrium Reflect free will permit you to clone and subsequently restore if required.

24th Nov 2016

I assume the problem happened because the tablet originally came with Windows 8.1 and whoever upgraded it to W10 waited until the free offer was over or they did a clean install without first doing the upgrade. So doing the recovery is unlikely to help.

24th Nov 2016

If it's a possibility, you could rollback to windows 8.1 and then get a free upgrade to windows 10 via the accessibility "loophole" - microsoft.com/en-…ade

24th Nov 2016

Cfcb

I assume the problem happened because the tablet originally came with … I assume the problem happened because the tablet originally came with Windows 8.1 and whoever upgraded it to W10 waited until the free offer was over or they did a clean install without first doing the upgrade. So doing the recovery is unlikely to help.

In which case restore /reinstall win8.1, then update to win10 by declaring assistive technologies requirement microsoft.com/en-…ade

24th Nov 2016

Just don't bother activating. Im sure I read w10 works fine without activation with only a few minor limitations.

Original Poster

24th Nov 2016

Yes not sure what the limitations are but it does work even though it's not activated and it downloads newest updates.

Currently doing a restore so will see what happens after that and get back to you.im not very good with these things so don't really know how to restore it to W8.1 which it likely came with and then hoping it activates then update to W10. If the restore doesn't rectify it, I'll likely just buy a cheap key.

Btw, it's a great tablet and so fast. As quick as my work Xps 15.

24th Nov 2016

You could just download an ISO for windows 8.1 (https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows8ISO) and re-install it that way? I did this with one of my desktops a while ago when I screwed up my restore image - it took a bit of time to do, but saved some money

Anyway good luck

Original Poster

24th Nov 2016

Thanks guys. The restore didn't address the issue so just bought a key off ebay for £10. See how long it lasts but the tablet is now activated. Thanks again for the help.